Growing Container For Free-Rooted Plants And System And Method Using Same

ABSTRACT

A growing container system for free-rooted plants adapted to grow plants to be grown aeroponically. The growing container includes a spherical upper portion and a conical lower portion. The growing container allows for the growing of individual free-rooted plants and is coupled to a fluid supply system which provides water to misters within the growing container, and which removes excess water from the bottom of the lower portion of the growing container. The growing container may be made of two halves which are coupled vertically.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 63/124,007 to Ayakannu, filed Dec. 10, 2020, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a system and method for growing free-rootedplants, namely a growing container for free-rooted plants.

Description of Related Art

Hydroponic technology attempts to address shortcomings of soil-relatedfarming by removing the soil from the growing method. Plants are grownin containers with a circulated nutrient solution. Dissolved oxygen isone of the critical nutrients. A reservoir is the component of thehydroponic system that holds the nutrient solution. Water is deliveredto the individual plants, which absorb the water and nutrients that theyneed, and leave the rest in the growing medium. This may cause a buildupof salts in the growing medium or the reservoir, so flushing may beneeded.

Aeroponics is a system which uses little or no growing media. Typically,the plants are suspended with the roots inside a growing chamber. Theplants may then get sprayed with nutrient solution with a fine mist atregular short cycles. Prior systems have been adapted to support a largenumber of plants grown together.

What is called for is a system and method for growing individualfree-rooted plants. What is also called for is a growing container thatallows for the growing of free-rooted plants while providing water andnutrients, and removing excess water.

SUMMARY

A growing container system for free-rooted plants adapted to grow plantsto be grown aeroponically. The growing container includes a sphericalupper portion and a conical lower portion. The growing container allowsfor the growing of individual free-rooted plants and is coupled to afluid supply system which provides water to misters within the growingcontainer, and which removes excess water from the bottom of the lowerportion of the growing container. The growing container may be made oftwo halves which are coupled vertically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an oblique view of a transport container according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a top view of a transport container according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a side view of a transport container according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an oblique view of a container base according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a top view of a container base according to some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a side view of a container top according to some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 3B is an oblique view of a container top according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a top view of a container top according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a top view of a stem and root stabilizer according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a side view of a stem and root stabilizer according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4C is an end view of a stem and root stabilizer according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4D is an oblique view of a stem and root stabilizer according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view of a transport container with plant according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a nutrient ball according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of a transport container with nutrient balls therein.

FIG. 8 is a view of a growing system for free-rooted plants according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view of a growing container according to some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a growing container according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a growing container with a plantaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view of a growing container with plug according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view of a growing container with plug and hose according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is a top view of a plug and hose according to some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of a plug and hose according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a growing container on a stand according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in FIGS. 1Athrough 1D, a transport container for free-rooted plants 150 includes abase container 151. The base container 151 is adapted to support pillars153 which extend upwards from the base container 151. A top 154 residesat the upper end of the transport container 150 and is supported by thepillars 153. The top 154 provides support for a light 155 which isadapted to provide light downwards towards a plant which may be held bythe base container. In some aspects, the pillars are adapted to beinserted into receptacle holes in the base container 151 and the top154. In some aspects, the height of the base container is 60% of thelength of the pillars above the base container. In aspects, the heightof the base container is in the range of 50-70% of the length of thepillars above the base container. In an exemplary embodiment, the heightof the base container 151 is 40% of the height of the transportcontainer 150.

In an exemplary embodiment, the container base size is 3 inches by 3inches. This container size may provide plants for growing containerswith a spherical diameter of 9 inches, which are discussed below. Inother aspects, the container base size may be 4 inches by 4 inches, or 6inches by 6 inches, although other larger sizes are envisioned.

A stem and root stabilizer 152 may consist of a first portion and asecond portion (first portion only is shown in FIGS. 1A-C). The stem androot stabilizer is adapted to support the plant above the roots andalong the lower stem through a center hole. The stem and root stabilizer152 is adapted to removably attach to the top of the base container 151.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate the base container 151 according to someembodiments of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, thebase container 151 is a square box. In some aspects, the base container151 has four corners, each with a coupling location 156 for coupling ofthe pillars 153 to the corners of the base container 151. In someaspects, the coupling location 156 comprises a hole adapted to receive alower end of a pillar 153. In some aspects, the outer surfaces of thebase container 151 may have recesses 166 adapted to receive a portion ofthe stem and root stabilizer 152 such that the stem and root stabilizer152 does not protrude further outward than the corners of the basecontainer 151. This may reduce the likelihood that the stem and rootstabilizer 152 be unintentionally decoupled from the top of the basecontainer 151.

In some aspects, the base container has rounded interior corners 159adapted to work in conjunction with hydrated balls, which will bediscussed below. The rounded interiors may be seen at the junction ofthe inner side surfaces 158 with each other, and with the bottom of thebase container. When used with hydrated balls, the ratio of the radiusof the rounded interior corners to the radius of the hydrated balls isgeared to enhance the movement of the hydrated balls and to reduce anystagnation. In some aspects, the radius of the rounded interior cornersis 60% of the radius of the hydrated nutrient balls. In some aspects,the ratio of the radius of the rounded interior corners to the radius ofthe hydrated balls is in the range of 0.5 to 0.7.

FIGS. 3A-C illustrate the top 154 according to some embodiments of thepresent invention. In this illustrative example, the top 154 is adaptedto be supported by the pillars 153. The pillars 153 may be inserted intoholes 160 at each of the four corners of the top 154. Cross braces 162are coupled to the pillars 153 and provide an interface 161 for thelight at their crossing point.

The light 155 may include a battery adapted to power the light for up to14 days, for example. The light may include a switch adapted to energizethe light. In some aspects, the light contains an LED, which may beoptimized in its wavelength to promote photosynthesis. The wavelength ofthe LED may be in the range of 400-600 nm, preferably in the range of400-500 nm. In some aspects, the light from the LED refracts through thecross braces 162 and provides further light from above the plant whichwill reside in the transport container.

FIGS. 4A-D illustrate a stem and root stabilizer portion 152 accordingto some of the embodiments of the present invention. The stem and rootstabilizer portion 152 is adapted to couple to the upper rim of the basecontainer 151 while stabilizing and supporting the plant at the stem androot hole 165. The tabs 167 are adapted to reside in the recesses 166 ofthe base container 151. A first stem and root stabilizer portion and asecond root and stabilizer portion are adapted to be used together tocapture and stabilize a free-rooted plant and to be removably coupled tothe base container. Holes 163 are adapted to allow the stem and rootstabilizer portion to be captured between the pillars 153 and the holes156 in the base container 151. With the pillars placed into the holes156 with a frictional fit, or other releasable fit, the pillars may beused to fixedly capture the stem and root portions in place with theplant captured and stabilized.

FIG. 5 illustrates a transport container for free-rooted plants assemblywith a plant 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention.In this illustrative embodiment, the plant 101 has been placed within atransport container for free-rooted plants 150. The plant stem 102 isplaced within the hole 163 of the stem and root stabilizer portions 152(one is which is shown elevated and not in the final transportposition). The roots 103 are suspended below the stem and rootstabilizer 152 and substantially within the framing of the pillars 153.The plant is below the light 155 supported by the top 154, allowing theplant to be illuminated by the light during transport, even when thetransport container for free-rooted plants 150 is contained within ashipping box, for example. Although illustrated in FIG. 5 with a portionof the root stabilizer elevated, it is to be understood that inassembled form the elevated portion would reside in line with thelowered portion.

In order to provide water and nutrition to the plant when in thetransport container for free-rooted plants 150, hydratable balls areused. In some aspects, the hydratable balls are adapted to providewater, oxygen, and nutrients to the plant. With the use of hydratednutrient balls a plant in the transport container for free-rooted plantsmay be shipped and be expected to survive for up to 14 days. In atypical case, the plant may be in the transport container for 3-10 days.In some aspects, the plant may continue to reside in the transportcontainer for up to two months, in natural light. In such acircumstance, the plant may incubate as opposed to grow. In someaspects, the hydratable nutrient balls may need to be rehydrated inorder for the plant to remain in the transport container.

In some aspects, as seen in FIG. 6, the hydratable balls 180 may be madeusing tapioca. In some aspects, the hydratable balls may be made usinggelatin. In either case, the base material is fashioned into a dough.The dough may then be rolled into 5 mm cylindrical sticks, and then cutinto 2-3 mm pieces. These pieces may then be rolled into balls. Theballs are then boiled in water for approximately 15 minutes. Prior toplacing the balls in the boiling water, nutrients may be added to thewater. The nutrients may include some or all of the following: nitrogen,phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, simple carbohydrates,rhizome, and mycorrhiza. These balls may then have oxygen added byplacing them in water in a sealed container and may be oxygenated withthe use of air stones, or other methods. These hydrated, completed,balls may then be used within the base container of the transport systemto provide oxygen, moisture, and nutrients to a plant in the transportsystem. In some aspects, the hydrated nutrient balls may be in the rangeof ¼″ to ½″ in diameter. Although illustrated in FIG. 6 as round, it isto be understood that the hydrated balls may be a bit lumpy inappearance. FIG. 7 illustrates a transport container 150 where nutrientballs 180 are seen mostly filling the base container 151. In someaspects, the base container is filled with nutrient balls to fill 90-95%of the volume of the base container. In some aspects, the base containeris filled with nutrient balls to fill greater than 70% of the volume ofthe base container. With larger transport containers, the nutrient ballsmay stay the same size. It is to be understood that the nutrient ballsmay be somewhat larger when fully hydrated, and somewhat smaller as theylose moisture.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method of transporting a free-rooted plantmay include placing an aero-plant into the base container. Hydratednutrient balls are then added into the base container. The stem and rootstabilizer portions are then fitted around the stem of the plant abovethe roots, and the stem and root stabilizer portions are fitted to thetop of the base container. The stem and root stabilizer portions may befastened together, such as with adhesive tape. The pillars are thenplaced into the holes in the base container. The top is then coupled tothe top of the pillars. At this point, the plant is nearly ready forshipment. The transport system may be placed into a shipping box, whichmay be rectangular and adapted to tightly enclose the transport system.The light is then switched on and the shipping box is then sealed.Finally, the plant is ready for shipping.

The transport system for free-rooted plants allows for free-rootedplants adapted for aeroponic growing to be shipped to end users who maythen continue to grow the plant aeroponically. In some aspects, plantsmay be cloned and begin their growth cycle at a supplier location. Onceremoved from the clone starting system, plants may be sent singly to endusers using delivery such as the postal service, for example. Therecipient of the plant may then transfer the free-rooted plant to agrowing system, such as a growing pod for a single plant.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in FIG. 8, agrowing system for free-rooted plants 200 includes a stand 202 whichsupports a growing container 201 for free-rooted plants. Further detailsof the stand 200 ae discussed below with regard to FIG. 13. In someaspects, the growing system 200 allows for self-contained growing of anindividual plant 209 in its own growing container 201. A water andnutrient subsystem 228 may be coupled to the growing container 201 witha tube or set of tubes 227. In some aspects, the growing container 201may be suspended from hanging supports. In some aspects, the growingcontainer 201 may reside in cutouts through a horizontal surface, suchas a table top or bench. The growing container 201 allows for thegrowing of just a single plant, as desired.

In some aspects, and as further illustrated in FIG. 9, the growingcontainer 201 may have an upper portion 204 and a lower portion 205. Theupper portion 204 may be spherical in some aspects. The lower portion205 may be conical in some aspects. The spherical upper portion 204allows for volume maximization of the portion of the growing containerwhich contains the roots of the growing plant. The conical bottomportion 205 allows for efficient drainage within the growing containerof the excess water delivered into the growing container. In someaspects, the bottom portion may be of another profile which necks down.

The growing container 201 may have an upper opening 207 adapted to allowthe plant to protrude from the growing container such that the stalksand leaves of the plant are above and exterior to the growing container,and the roots are within the growing container. A plant collar 250 maybe used to support the plant so that the plant roots reside within theupper portion, but do not pull down the plant. The plant collar 250, asseen in FIG. 11, may be a flexible collar such as of neoprene or otherstrong, ductile material, through the center of which the plant stalkprotrudes. The growing container 201 may have an exit tube 208 whichdefines a bottom opening 209 at a bottom end of the lower portion 205. Asupport recess 206 is adapted to allow the growing container 201 to besupported by an external support, as is described further below.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sphere diameter of the upper portion 204is 9 inches. The sphere diameter may be in the range of 4-48 inches. Theoverall height of the growing container 201 may be 13 inches. Theoverall height may be in the range of 9-52 inches. The upper opening maybe in the range of 1-3 inches. The bottom opening may be in the range of1.5 inches and scalable to diameter and height variations.

In an exemplary use, the 9 inch spherical diameter growing container maygrow plants that are 2 feet wide and 4 feet tall, or in the case of avining plant, a plant that is 5 feet tall, for example. The use of sucha small growing container for such a large plant provides efficiency ofspace, especially in contrast to plants grown traditionally in dirt.With the use of larger growing containers, similar increases in planttypes that can be grown is seen.

In some aspects, the growing container 201 is made of two halves, whichmay be identical halves. The two halves may be 180 degree sweep portionsof the axially symmetric growing container, such that the halves havevertical sides adapted to mate together. In some aspects, the halves arejoined with a tongue in groove system in which a tongue on one verticalside is adapted to be retained in a groove on the other side. With eachof the halves having a tongue on one vertical side, and a groove on theother vertical side, identical halves can be assembled together with thetongue side of one half snapping into the groove of the other half. Insome aspects, the tongue and groove system is designed such that thereis a locking aspect adapted to retain the halves together, whileallowing the halves to be separated when desired. When using the growingcontainer, it may be desired to trim the plant roots occasionally. Theuse of this two piece growing container allows for easy access to theroots of a grown plant for trimming. In an exemplary embodiment, the twohalves of the growing container may be of plastic, and may be onequarter of an inch thick. Different thicknesses may be used depending onthe structural requirements, which may depend upon plant size, and otherfactors.

In some aspects, the assembled growing container may have an outer skin229, or jacket, which may form fit the exterior of the growingcontainer. The jacket may have a zipper, or other fastening means,allowing the jacket to be placed around the growing container and thentightened around it. The jacket may provide further support to ensurethat the two halves of the growing container do not detach when notdesired. The jacket may also allow for ornamentation as desired by theuser. Although illustrated in FIG. 7 as covering only the lower sectionof the growing container 201, it is to be understood that the jacket 229may cover the entirety of the growing container other than the upperopening 207 and the bottom opening 209, or as desired by the user.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in cross-sectionin FIG. 10, a fluid transport system includes fluid inflow to the rootsystem of the plant, and fluid outflow for excess moisture which wouldotherwise accumulate in the bottom of the growing container. Supplytubes 210 a, 210 b provide water to mister 211 a, 211 b, which areadapted to mist the roots of a free-rooted plant contained within thegrowing container. In some aspects, there may be a different number ofpaired supply tubes and misters. The supply tubes are routed down to theexit tube 208 where they will be coupled to a fluid supply source 228.In some aspects, the supply tubes line the exterior area of the exittube 208 and the central area of the exit tube 208 couples to a drainfor fluid outflow. In some aspects, the supply tubes route through theinterior area of the exit tube 208 and the exterior area of the exittube 208 couples to a drain for fluid outflow.

FIG. 11 illustrates an illustrative cross-section of the growingcontainer 201 supporting a plant 209, with the roots 212 within theupper portion 204 of the growing container 201. In an exemplary use,water enters 216 into the supply tubes 210, routes upward within thelower portion of the growing container, and exits out through themisters 211, providing a mist of water 213 to the roots 212. Excesswater drips down 214 to the bottom of the lower portion 205 of thegrowing container 201 and is able to flow out through an exit 215.

FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom plug 217 which is adapted to seal thebottom opening 209 of the exit tube 208 of the growing container 201.FIG. 11 illustrates the bottom plug 217 coupled to a hose 227 which isadapted to provide water into the supply tubes 210 and remove excesswater from the growing container. FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate anexemplary embodiment of the bottom plug 217. In some aspects, the bottomplug may thread internally to the inside surface of the bottom of thegrowing container. A threaded portion 240 may reside outside of theouter surface 241 of the bottom plug and thread to a mating interfacewithin the bottom of the lower portion of the growing container. Withinthe inner surface 242 of the bottom plug, supply inlets 243 a, 243 b,are adapted to route water, or water and nutrients, from the fluidsupply hose 227 and up to the misters. The remaining area within theinside of the plug may function as a drain area 245. In some aspects, asseen in FIG. 11, the bottom plug 217 may capture the outer surface ofthe bottom of the lower portion of the growing container.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of the stand 202 supporting the growingcontainer 201. A bottom plate 202 b is coupled to a vertical support 202a from which support arms 203 a, 203 b extend out to grasp and supportthe growing container 201. In some aspects, the support arms are springloaded such that they may be separated from each other enough to allowfor placement of the growing container between them. The support armsthen close upon the recess in the growing container and support thegrowing container.

In some aspects, the water and nutrient subsystem 208 is adapted toprovide water to the growing container on a regular schedule. In someaspects, the water and nutrient subsystem has an electronic controlsystem which may be programmed to provide water on a desired schedule.In some aspects, a single water and nutrient subsystem may be used witha plurality of growing containers. In an exemplary embodiment, the waterand nutrient subsystem includes a fluid supply source 228 which iscoupled to the growing container 200 which a supply line 227. The fluidsupply source may include a pump adapted to pump water, or water andnutrients, at a pressure in the range of 125-150 psi. The pump mayprovide water in a range of 60-500 psi. The fluid supply source 228 mayalso include a timing system adapted to provide water on a timedschedule, depending upon the needs of the plant or plants supplied. Inan exemplary embodiment, the pump may supply water for durations ofbetween 10 seconds to 5 minutes, and then be off for a duration ofbetween 10 seconds to 10 minutes. The water flow volume rate for a 9inch spherical diameter container may be ½ gallon per hour. In someaspects, the fluid supplied is water. In some aspects, the fluidsupplied is water with nutrients in the range of 1-900 ppm.

In some aspects, a single fluid supply source 228 may be adapted tosupply more than a single growing container. For example, a single fluidsupply source may provide water, or water and nutrients, to two (ormore) growing containers. Each growing container would have its ownsupply line, and may have its own timing circuit.

The water and nutrient subsystem may also receive back water drainedfrom the growing container, which may be stored in a fluid reservoir. Insome aspects, the drained water may be analyzed to determine what levelof nutrients remain in the returned water, in order to assess what levelof nutrients are required to return the drained water into a conditionappropriate for re-use, to be returned to the growing container. In someaspects, the drained water may be routed to another purpose.

As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments maybe configured from the description given herein and additionaladvantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in theart. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited tothe specific details and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the applicant's general invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A growing container for free-rooted plants, saidgrowing container comprising: a spherical upper portion, said sphericalupper portion comprising a hole at a top of said spherical upperportion; a conical lower portion, said conical lower portion comprises ahole at a bottom of said conical lower portion; a hole at a lower end ofsaid lower portion.
 2. The growing container of claim 1 furthercomprising: one or more supply tubes routed from said hole in said lowerportion upwards along the inside of said lower portion; and one or moremisters coupled to each of said one or more supply tubes.
 3. The growingcontainer of claim 2 further comprising a recess around thecircumferences of said growing container at a junction of said upperportion and said lower portion.
 4. The growing container of claim 3further comprising a bottom plug coupled to the bottom of said lowerportion.
 5. The growing container of claim 2 further comprising a bottomplug coupled to the bottom of said lower portion.
 6. The growingcontainer of claim 4 further comprising a fluid inlet line coupled tosaid bottom plug, said fluid inlet line fluidically coupled to one ormore supply tubes on a first end, said inlet line fluidically coupled toa fluid supply source on a second end.
 7. The growing container of claim5 further comprising a fluid inlet line coupled to said bottom plug,said fluid inlet line fluidically coupled to one or more supply tubes ona first end, said inlet line fluidically coupled to a fluid supplysource on a second end.
 8. The growing container of claim 6 furthercomprising a drain line through said bottom plug.
 9. The growingcontainer of claim 7 further comprising a drain line through said bottomplug.
 10. The growing container of claim 8 further comprising aremovable jacket around said growing container.
 11. The growingcontainer of claim 9 further comprising a removable jacket around saidgrowing container.
 12. A growing container system for free-rootedplants, said growing container system comprising: a growing container,said growing container comprising: a spherical upper portion, saidspherical upper portion comprising a hole at a top of said sphericalupper portion; a conical lower portion, said conical lower portioncomprises a hole at a bottom of said conical lower portion; a hole at alower end of said lower portion; one or more supply tubes routed fromsaid hole in said lower portion upwards along the inside of said lowerportion; and one or more misters coupled to each of said one or moresupply tubes a bottom plug coupled to the bottom of said lower portion.a fluid inlet line coupled to said bottom plug, said fluid inlet linefluidically coupled to one or more supply tubes on a first end, saidinlet line fluidically coupled to a fluid supply source on a second end;a fluid supply system; and a growing container fluid supply line, saidgrowing container fluid supply line coupled to said fluid inlet line ona first end, said growing container fluid supply line coupled to saidfluid supply system on a second end.
 13. The growing container system ofclaim 12 wherein said fluid supply system further comprises: a fluidpump; and timing system adapted to energize said fluid pump.
 14. Thegrowing container system of claim 13 further comprising: a drain line,said drain line fluidically coupled to said bottom coupler on a firstend, said drain line fluidically coupled to said fluid supply source ona second end; and wherein said fluid supply system further comprises afluid reservoir, said fluid reservoir coupled to said drain line.
 15. Amethod of growing plants, said method comprising the steps of: placing aplant into a growing container, said growing container comprising aspherical upper section and a conical lower section, wherein the rootsof said plant reside withing said spherical upper section and said plantextends upward through a hole in the top of said spherical uppersection; spraying water onto said roots residing in said conical lowersection.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of spraying watercomprises the steps of: pumping water from a remote fluid supply sourceto a bottom entrance of said lower conical section of said growingcontainer; routing water in through said lower conical section to one ormore misters.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said remote fluidsupply comprises a timing control system for the timed pumping of water,and wherein said method further comprises the step of programming saidtiming control system for the time pumping of water.